Mr. Aldunate
Designing a Constitution
Country _____ is in trouble. Their government has recently collapse (with help
form a belligerent foreign country). They are in a process of rebuilding. They
require your help in designing a new constitution for their country. You and your
group are to devise a new constitution (from scratch) for their country.
The circumstances/characteristics of the country are as follows:
• Population: 15 million
• Mostly homogenous people with a small politically active cultural minority
(approximately 3 million living mostly in the northern region)
• Economy is mostly agrarian with a somewhat developed manufacturing
sector found mostly in the richer capital region. There are some significant
oil reserves in the north and east of the capital region.
• The southern region has traditionally and still is much poorer than the rest
of the country.
• The country has been a traditional patriarchal society. However some
women’s groups are demanding greater rights.
• The region to the north speaks the same language but has a different
dialect. There have been some independence movements.
• 80 percent of the population is Muslim with another 15 percent Christian.
Another 5 percent has no religious affiliation.
Objective:
Draft a document that addresses these issues in a simple, clear and concise
manner. Use your notes on the anatomy of a constitution to guide you.
Your Constitution must include and arrange the following:
Article I. The name of the country with a brief preamble (purpose, aim ,
values, etc)
Article II. The type of government.
Article III. Main government institutions with a brief description of their
responsibilities
Article IV. Levels of government if necessary and clear division of power
Article V. Elections (when, how, who can run)
Article VI. Rights of citizens – list no more than 5
Article VII.A process for changing the constitution if needed (Amending
formula)
Article VI. Emergency measures section
The group is to outline the constitution on a piece of chart paper and will share
with class when completed.
10 marks